Exercise #3 Connecting Past and Present
February 6, 2023 By: Nahian Adiba
Parks Movement
The Sundarbans played a powerful barrier for Cyclone Amphan, slowing its pace by 70 kilometers per hour. This mangrove forest reduced tidal surge height by 3 to 4 feet. It is not the first time the Sundarbans have served as a windbreak. It reduced the strength of such winds during the 1988 and 1997 cyclones, Sidr in 2007, Aila in 2009, Roanu in 2016, Bulbul in 2019, Fani in 2019, and Amphan this time. There was a time The Sundarbans were at risk of being exploited for some governmental projects and powerplants. It associates with a point in Bell’s article in Topic 2, Unit 3: what’s the best use of an area for the benefit of present and future generations where the importance of natural parks is thoroughly talked and explained.
https://en.prothomalo.com/environment/sundarbans-curbed-amphans-intensity-saved-dhaka
Urbanization
In the past, Allahabad’s rooftops were all painted white, which eventually lowered the temperature of the area – a case study of nature-based remedies. In Barishal, Bangladesh, paddy, fish, and vegetables were once grown on the soil there. The mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Atiqul Islam, said that natural solutions were being used to help the city develop. He stated that there were numerous difficulties to overcome to “revive canals, produce fish there, and create a beautiful Dhaka.” The mayor of the city requested everyone’s friendly collaboration. Topic 3, Unit 3 explains how urbanization harms the environment and how to discover strategies to restore it.
Hello Nahian
Thanks for your article and your analysis. Your article on the Sundarbans shows the important role that natural parks and reserves can play in mitigating the effects of natural disasters. The Sundarbans mangrove forest has been a powerful barrier in protecting coastal communities in Bangladesh from cyclones, reducing the tidal surge and wind strength. This highlights the need to prioritize the protection of natural areas for their ecological and societal benefits, as discussed in Bell’s article in Topic 2, Unit 3. It is crucial to consider the best use of land for the benefit of present and future generations, and natural parks can provide multiple benefits, including disaster risk reduction, biodiversity conservation, and recreation.
The case study of Allahabad’s white-painted rooftops and Barishal’s traditional agricultural practices in the article on urbanization shows the potential for nature-based solutions in mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization on the environment. The mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation’s focus on using natural solutions to help the city develop is also encouraging. It is crucial to prioritize nature-based solutions in urban planning to create sustainable and resilient cities that benefit both people and the environment.
Hi Nahian,
Your post about urbanization and Allahabad rooftops’ contributions to determining strategies to restore harmed environments is excellent. I have not heard of anything remotely close to rooftops being painted white to lower the temperature of an area. I also have not heard of a mayor of a corporation in Asia requesting citizens’ collaboration in bettering the environment to grow crops and spawn fish, which will be highly effective if the locals are on board. When I visit Asia for the first time, I will look out for peculiar constructions and if they positively impact their local environments. I will also seek to volunteer my time and labor to assist the area housing me, all thanks to you!